To the Hebrews
9 For its part, then, the former [covenant] used to have ordinances of sacred service*+ and [its] mundane* holy place.+ 2 For there was constructed a first tent [compartment]+ in which were the lampstand+ and also the table+ and the display of the loaves;*+ and it is called “the Holy Place.”+ 3 But behind the second curtain+ was the tent [compartment] called “the Most Holy.”*+ 4 This had a golden censer+ and the ark of the covenant+ overlaid all around with gold,+ in which were the golden jar having the manna+ and the rod of Aaron that budded+ and the tablets+ of the covenant;* 5 but up above it were the glorious cherubs+ overshadowing the propitiatory [cover].*+ But now is not the time to speak in detail concerning these things.
6 After these things had been constructed this way, the priests enter the first tent [compartment]+ at all times to perform the sacred services;+ 7 but into the second [compartment] the high priest alone enters once a year,+ not without blood,+ which he offers for himself+ and for the sins of ignorance of the people.+ 8 Thus the holy spirit makes it plain that the way+ into the holy place* had not yet been made manifest while the first tent was standing.+ 9 This very [tent] is an illustration*+ for the appointed time that is now here,+ and in keeping with it both gifts and sacrifices are offered.+ However, these are not able to make the [man] doing sacred service* perfect+ as respects his conscience,+ 10 but have to do only with foods+ and drinks+ and various baptisms.*+ They were legal requirements pertaining to the flesh+ and were imposed until the appointed time to set things straight.*+
11 However, when Christ came as a high priest+ of the good things that have come to pass,* through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,+ 12 he entered, no, not with* the blood+ of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood,+ once for all time into the holy place and obtained* an everlasting deliverance* [for us].+ 13 For if the blood of goats+ and of bulls+ and the ashes+ of a heifer sprinkled on those who have been defiled*+ sanctifies to the extent of cleanness of the flesh,+ 14 how much more will the blood+ of the Christ, who through an everlasting spirit offered+ himself without blemish to God, cleanse+ our consciences from dead works+ that we may render sacred service+ to [the] living God?
15 So that is why he is a mediator+ of a new covenant, in order that, because a death has occurred for [their] release by ransom+ from the transgressions under the former covenant,+ the ones who have been called might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance.+ 16 For where there is a covenant,*+ the death of the [human] covenanter* needs to be furnished. 17 For a covenant is valid over dead [victims],* since it is not in force at any time while the [human] covenanter is living. 18 Consequently neither was the former [covenant]+ inaugurated* without blood.+ 19 For when every commandment according to the Law had been spoken by Moses to all the people,+ he took the blood of the young bulls and of the goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop+ and sprinkled the book* itself and all the people, 20 saying: “This is the blood of the covenant that God has laid as a charge upon YOU.”*+ 21 And he sprinkled the tent+ and all the vessels of the public service likewise with the blood.+ 22 Yes, nearly all things are cleansed with blood+ according to the Law, and unless blood is poured out+ no forgiveness* takes place.+
23 Therefore it was necessary that the typical representations+ of the things in the heavens should be cleansed by these means,+ but the heavenly things themselves with sacrifices that are better than such sacrifices. 24 For Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands,+ which is a copy of the reality,*+ but into heaven itself,+ now to appear before the person of God for us.+ 25 Neither is it in order that he should offer himself often, as indeed the high priest enters into the holy place*+ from year to year+ with blood not his own. 26 Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the founding*+ of the world. But now he has manifested himself+ once+ for all time at the conclusion* of the systems of things*+ to put sin away through the sacrifice of himself.+ 27 And as it is reserved for men+ to die once for all time, but after this a judgment,+ 28 so also the Christ was offered once+ for all time to bear the sins of many;+ and the second time+ that he appears+ it will be apart from sin*+ and to those earnestly looking for him for [their] salvation.+